Iran, India Determined to Develop Chabahar Port

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi voiced determination to implement the agreements signed between the two countries, particularly a project to develop Iran’s southeastern port city of Chabahar.

In a telephone conversation with the Indian premier on Wednesday, President Rouhani said Tehran is prepared to upgrade the level of ties with New Delhi to that of a strategic partnership.

He also stressed the need for immediate implementation of the agreement the two countries signed during Modi’s visit to Iran in May, particularly a contract to develop Chabahar.

“Iran’s port of Chabahar, which links different countries in the region together, such as India, Afghanistan and Central Asia, is a symbol of cooperation between Tehran and New Delhi,” President Rouhani added.

And Modi, who called the Iranian president to congratulate him on Eid al-Fitr, said India will do its utmost to carry out agreements with Iran, including the one regarding Chabahar.

In 2003, Iran and India agreed to develop the port of Chabahar.

The Chabahar route will allow Indian goods to reach Afghanistan via Iran without crossing Pakistan’s territory.

Chabahar is located in the Gulf of Oman on the border with Pakistan. It is the closest and best access point of Iran to the Indian Ocean. Tehran has plans to turn the port into a transit hub for easier access to markets in the northern parts of the Indian Ocean and Central Asia.